- Contributed byÌý
- UCNCommVolunteers
- People in story:Ìý
- Marine Richard N. Ruff (now deceased, told by Rita Wills with permission of his wife)
- Location of story:Ìý
- Mediterranean ocean
- Background to story:Ìý
- Royal Navy
- Article ID:Ìý
- A2848485
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 19 July 2004
Marine Richard Ruff on the right with Sergeant King who was also involved in the operation.
(Typed by a UCN Community Volunteer)
July 1944 a raid was evidently planned at Portolago Bay in the Mediterranean Island of Leros. Taking part in a Special Boat Section operation was Sergeant King and Marine R.N. Ruff who was an uncle to me. I don’t think we’ll ever know the true story but this much I can at least say. They were taken into the harbour by submarine; boats were then dispatched to lay the limpet mines under the noses of the Italian sailors. These mines were metallic and gripped onto the hull of the boat with a click. They were pre-timed to detonate shortly after the cockleshell heroes had paddled like fury away from the boat. This was done successfully up until the point of escape when they were spotted and the boat was holed with a bullet and half filled with water. Mr Ruff made repairs with a lump of chewing gum and they managed to get to a small Greek island where the people hid them for nine months, during which time Mrs Ruff knew nothing of his whereabouts or if he was ok. Apparently my uncle couldn’t stand the food, saying it was far too greasy! I’m not sure how he got away, but presume it was once the Italians had left and the islands were repatriated. He was eventually awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his bravery at the palace by King George VI.
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